Dazzling start to Paris Fashion Week

A week of haute couture shows began on Sunday in Paris, gathering pace on Monday as designers began unveiling their Spring-Summer 2014 collections.

FRANCE 24 takes a look at the highlights of the opening two days:

Atelier Versace

At a show almost upstaged by Lady Gaga, who sat in the front row, Donatella Versace’s catwalk show presented models dressed as contemporary goddesses.

There was an abundance of hooded dresses, in a clear nod to style icon Grace Jones. More feminine and modern than traditional goddesses, the Versace women in this haute couture collection wore plunging V-neck gowns with dramatic slit skirts.

Pop star Lady Gaga featured in Versace's spring advertising campaign and the soundtrack for the show on Monday was made up of remixed versions of her hits. She sported a black hooded Versace look and stood to applaud as the tiny Donatella Versace - looking like the American star’s twin, also in black - walked down the catwalk at the end.

Schiaparelli

Sixty years after Elsa Schiaparelli's last runway show, the fashion house on Monday made a highly-anticipated comeback with an elegant yet whimsical collection.

Ex-Rochas designer Marco Zanini’s collection was offbeat and quirky, true to the brand's traditions. Perhaps the best example was the eccentric pointed hats, a form of homage to Elsa Schiaparelli.

"It is very beautiful and poetic, very modern... but also very wearable," said Jean Paul Gaultier. The veteran designer joined supermodel Elle Macpherson and former French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy at the show.

Designers Livia Stoianova and Yassen Samouilov put on a remarkably original show to exhibit their latest haute couture collection. Playing upon black and white contrasts, the collection included looks that sculpted models' silhouettes perfectly or that flowed loosely, with transparent elements and plunging V-necks. Mini dresses, maxi dresses and jumpsuits with geometric elements were embroidered with rhinestones, crystal, and even light. The highlight of the show was undoubtedly when the models literally lit up on the catwalk amidst almost complete darkness.